Core i7-3770S vs Core i7-4860HQ

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i7-3770S vs Core i7-4860HQ FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-3770S vs Core i7-4860HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-3770S

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Core i7-4860HQ needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i7-4860HQ.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,173 vs 6,204).
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Core i7-4860HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌38.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 47W.

Core i7-4860HQ

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 47W instead of 65W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3770S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3770S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-3770S.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4860HQ better than Core i7-3770S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3770S is ahead with a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4860HQ pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4860HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-4860HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-4860HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. Core i7-3770S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (24.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-4860HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-3770S vs Core i7-4860HQ Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-3770S

The Core i7-3770S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,173 points. Launch price was $330.

Core i7-4860HQ

The Core i7-4860HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,204 points. Launch price was $434.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3770S and Core i7-4860HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3770S versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-4860HQ — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i7-3770S (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-3770S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-4860HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3770S scores 6,173 against the Core i7-4860HQ's 6,204 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-4860HQ. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-3770S vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4860HQ.

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Core i7-4860HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+8%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+29%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	6,173	6,204
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	694	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,303	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3770S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4860HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Core i7-4860HQ
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3770S) / not specified (Core i7-4860HQ). The Core i7-3770S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i7-4860HQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3770S targets Budget.